Goodbye to Gabbs and its high school, Home of the Tarantulas

Leaving the dusty trails of Ione and Gabbs behind, the MaryJane sisters blazed into Hawthorne. We were hungry and in dire need of some tonsil paint. We had journeyed all the way from Austin and were eager to find overnight accommodations near the action. However, we became apprehensive when we set eyes on the ammunition depot and the small tent-like huts dotting the landscape protecting the underground ammunition bunkers.

We stopped in Joe's Tavern to check out the décor of historical artifacts and memorabilia and the possibility of some action. Joe's ambiance was impressive and action was definitely promising. But we were famished to the point of prickliness, and so heeding the MaryJane warning signs we went in search of a more subdued place to eat. Further up the street we found Maggie's Family Restaurant and Steak House. After a revitalizing meal we decided Hawthorne wasn't ready for the MJ sisters and we headed out of town.

Walker Lake was too becalmed for the Sisters

We passed "the base", deciding not to take a tour. Mt. Grant loomed gallantly close by as we continued towards Walker Lake. Ready for a thirst quencher we stopped at Cliff House Lakeside Resort. They were not geared up, but we went in and toured the amenities anyway. Standing on the deck overlooking Walker Lake we took time for a closer view of the lake and its unique beauty in the bleak desert landscape. The water was noticeably low and there wasn't much activity going on. We felt a sense of aloneness with just the two of us in the quietude of our surroundings.

After a short drive through Walker River Indian Reservation we took Alternate 95 to Yerington in Mason Valley. Now Yerington was like an oasis with its pastoral surroundings and tree-lined streets. It was a welcome sight from the dry, barren territory we had just traveled through.

Casino West Motel in downtown Yerington

We got a room at the Casino West. I know, not as quaint as we would like but we were dog-tired and it was located on Main Street close to the action. After freshening up and removing the prairie dust we went across the street to Lil's to wet our whistles and have something to eat.

A lively pool game was in progress and the saloonkeeper, Lee, was happy to take care of us. A large black Lab thought she was one of the gang and made herself at home. She was not dog-tired and kept nudging me and coaxing me to play. Much to my amusement she was a shadow chaser. She went in circles chasing the shadow of my foot on the floor. Then she followed the shadow of my hand up the wall until she saw the shadow of her own head and ears. I don't know what she thought that was, but she sure tried to get hold of it. It did look like some varmint mess'n about on the wall.

Dini's Lucky Club lights up a bright stretch of Main Street in Yerington

We were invited to join Bill, Ron, Mike, and a few others who were making their evening rounds. We went to Dini's Lucky Club where Ray Dini, dressed in his aloha shirt, was serving good drinks, good conversation and his own inimitable entertainment. He could tell I was ready to knock back some cactus juice and bestowed upon me a superb picon punch. I hadn't had one of those since the Star Restaurant in Elko. It was a welcome pick-me-up.

From the Lucky Club we went back to Lil's and on to the Wild West Lounge at Casino West for music and dancing. The night's entertainment was a lone singer with his backup band on a soundtrack. He reminded me of Ray Orbison, Elvis Presley, and Tom Jones all in one and had been singing at Casino West for a long time. To our delight he was quite good, so my new friend Ron and I hit the dance floor.

The road home from Yerington

We danced until the band folded up and then moseyed back to Lil's (again) for a final game of pool before we called it a night. Ron needed to punch the breeze, the picon punch was wearing off and the MJ sisters were ready to punch the dream sacks at the Casino West.

In the morning we bid a fond farewell to Yerington and to driving in beauty on the open roads in Nevada. The MaryJane sisters were heading home, reflecting on the fascinating places we had been and the interesting people we met along the way. We contemplated our next road trip and having a "hot time in the old town tonight".

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